Background
Jibola Oluseye Abati hails from Ogun State, had his main faculty training at Tumwase Nursery and Main College. Presently, he’s on the verge of concluding his B.Sc Diploma in Tourism Research on the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria (NOUN).
Rising up in a polygamous household, was for him, an attention-grabbing improvement, because it positioned him on the great path of life, noting; ‘‘I grew up in a polygamous household however I loved good customary fundamental training.’’
The younger Abati in his rising years was fascinated by nature and images. He said that “I used to be influenced by nature, travelling and images.
I’m a nature addict and love exploring.”
That fascination with nature at such a young and impressionable age stayed with him as later in life he found his innate ardour for nature and journey; he subsequently determined to observe his ardour by chasing after journey enterprise.
He began off by creating contents on Nigeria as a vacation spot of selection after which adopted with organised tour packages to Badagary, for which he’s fairly famous. Later he added Ibadan to his portfolio after which different segments of Nigeria and Africa.
To formalise these ventures of his, he based ITravels and Excursions, which is dedicated to tour packages and vacation spot administration. He then additionally arrange Style of Africa Vibes, which is devoted to journey content material creations on Nigerian and African locations.
It was below the Style of Africa Vibes that he, final yr, curated Africa Journey Content material Creators Convention. The second version of the convention is slated to carry in Cape City, South Africa, between September 4 and seven, 2024.
What motivated you to enterprise into the tourism house?
My love for nature, and assembly individuals motivated me to find my ardour for tourism.
How did your tourism enterprise achieve traction?
My tourism journey began with taking colleges on excursions inside South West Nigeria. Badagry and Ibadan zoos to be exact.
In 2016 I travelled on a street journey from Lagos to Obudu in Cross River State. That was a giant turning level that gave me perception into how lovely Nigeria is and must be promoted. So, I leverage on social media to point out my curiosity for Nigerian tourism to the world.
How difficult was it?
Challenges are essential and I’m glad it occurred within the early stage. Promoting tour packages in a rustic the place insecurity, dangerous infrastructure, alongside media unfavourable narratives, had been massive challenges however but I saved specializing in the optimistic areas and this attracted individuals to see Nigeria as a phenomenal place to go to by my posts.
Incomes further cash was a giant drawback as most excursions then was like begging individuals to come back and see Nigerian sights with me.
I didn’t earn a living from these native excursions relatively I gained contents and human connections which later helped me so much.
How did you discover your area of interest in tourism enterprise?
I’m an unconventional particular person; I really like doing issues individuals haven’t accomplished or accomplished in a singular method, so I look into exploring nature extra by introducing seashore tenting in Badagry in 2018.
To what extent have you ever developed this area of interest market?
God has been so trustworthy to maintain me however I focus extra on sustainability of concepts by retaining good relationships with shoppers and persistently leveraging on social media platforms.
How aggressive is tour enterprise in Nigeria?
I attempt to preserve wholesome competitors and welcome collaboration with pioneers and colleagues within the business.
I’m grateful to God and the dwelling legends of Nigerian tourism who paved the best way for us to work on.
What was your expertise conducting your first tour?
The primary tour was attention-grabbing however no revenue was made. I even incurred money owed, nevertheless, I cherished the result. Placing smiles on individuals’s faces by travelling was a giant win for me.
How had been you capable of break even then going ahead?
God, social media, tourism pioneers and good manners helped me.
How would you describe tour enterprise in Nigeria?
It’s the untapped crude oil in Nigeria. We’re completely removed from what the world is doing with the tourism business.
Why is Nigeria not getting volumes in tour enterprise?
It’s as a result of the federal government isn’t in keeping with prioritising the business as a cash spinner for income development. Sadly, many individuals within the hospitality market should not hospitable.
Tourism isn’t about cash however about love for all times. Tourism is life.
What are the area of interest markets for Nigeria?
The area of interest markets for Nigeria are leisure, tradition and festivals. These must be given pressing consideration. We don’t have wildlife or nature that may be promoted like these of East and Southern Africa.
With two separate ministries newly created for tradition and tourism, what must be accomplished to make tourism achieve Nigeria?
I’m glad we now have these two wonderful ministers and so they have hit the bottom operating. However they should give consideration to these of us which might be journey content material creators to advertise Nigeria.
Loads of us had and are nonetheless selling Nigeria by creating contents on social media. The ministry wants journey content material creators’ sector to push the whole lot about Nigeria to the world.
We’re able to work with them and we imagine we are able to ship below their instructions.
What knowledgeable the Africa Journey Content material Creators Convention that you just began in 2023?
In 2020, I based a platform known as Style of Africa Vibes on Fb to advertise Nigerian and African tourism since we couldn’t journey. In 2022 the group gained the Fb Accelerator programme for 2022/2023 and we had been supported with funds by Meta to start out a sustainable group initiative programme.
So we then launched The Africa Journey Content material Creators Convention, which was held on June 1 2023, at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos State. It was tagged: The Gathering of African Journey Storytellers. Since our group is about journey contents and tales.
Wonderful and well-known travellers and influencers had been there as visitor audio system, with about 100 individuals in attendance.
How profitable was it?
It was profitable past phrases; from the venue to the audio system and all who attended to assist this nice motion for African tourism sustainability by innovation and collaborations.
What impression did you assume the convention made?
Now individuals know there’s a convention for African journey and storytellers and the necessity to collaborate as an alternative of unhealthy competitors.
What knowledgeable the selection of South Africa because the venue for this yr’s convention?
It is because the thought of the convention is to take it throughout the continent of Africa. Altering the narratives about Africa for good as every nation is given the golden alternative and privilege to host journey content material creators.
Subsequently, this yr we’re going to Cape City, South Africa. Apparently, I used to be in Cape City, Durban and Johannesburg final yr.
What’s the theme of this yr’s convention?
The theme is; Africa Journey Content material Creators Convention: The Duty of Africa Storytellers and it might maintain on the Marriot Crystal Towers, Cape City, South Africa between September 4 and seven, 2024.
What are the anticipated advantages from it?
Loads of advantages are to be derived from the convention, corresponding to publicity to exponential and sensible information by specialists, networking, connectivity and collaboration with fellow content material creators from all over the world in addition to experiencing Africa’s greatest journey metropolis: Cape City.
Above all, members will perceive their roles in altering the tales about Africa for good and be extra accountable with what we put out on our social media platforms.
How fulfilling has the journey been for you as a journey skilled?
To God be the glory. I tag it my lovely story continues. I’m not there but however I’m very grateful to God that I’m alive to expertise the results of following my goals, ardour and love for tourism in opposition to all odds.
What are a few of the most prestigious and memorable accolades and awards that you’ve got earned through the years?
I’ve gained a collection of awards, which embrace; Greatest Tour Information and Younger Tourism Character of Yr 2021; Home Tourism Promoter in Nigeria 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023; Fb Accelerator Programme 2022/2023 winner; Founding father of Yr Foya Award Kenya 2022; Africa under40 Awards; Ifffa Jury 2023, 2024 South Africa; Tourism Media Indaba, South Africa 2023; and Africa Digitally Tourism Content material Creator at IMEX2024 Germany.
What does the longer term maintain for you?
God is my planner, He’s conscious of the following steps however my objective is to be a part of the individuals who modified African tales for good by travelling and content material creation.
